Methods and Apparatus for Resolving Wireless Signal Components

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus enabling a wireless network to generate data that can be used by a receiver (e.g., UE) to resolve the contributions of individual transmitters, such as to determine its location without resort to external devices such as GPS satellites. In one embodiment, the wireless network comprises a single frequency network (SFN), and a unique base station identifier is embedded within the data, and encoded in a manner which allows the UE to calculate path characteristics (such as path latency, and Direction of Arrival) to triangulate its position. In one variant, the data encoding comprises weighting frames of data from different base stations using an orthogonal matrix. Advantageously, the encoding and embedded identifier are also transparent to legacy UE, thereby allowing for implementation with no infrastructure or UE modifications other than software. Network and user apparatus implementing these methodologies, and methods of doing business, are also disclosed.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of wirelesscommunication networks. More particularly, in one exemplary aspect, thepresent invention is directed to methods and apparatus for operation ofa Single Frequency Network (SFN) using signal “shaping” to enableresolving individual signal components, such as for services includinglocation determination.

2. Description of Related Technology

The Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technologyis based on the IEEE 802.16 Standard, which is also commonly referred toas Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WirelessMAN). WiMAX is withinconsideration for support of future evolution to fourth generation (4G)technology.

Current implementations of WiMAX (i.e., IEEE Std. 802.16e) are based onScalable Orthogonal Frequency Domain Multiple Access (S-OFDMA), whichcan flexibly trade frequency and time resources for varying datarequirements (such as high transmission robustness, high datathroughput, low latency, etc.). The flexibility of S-OFDMA allows WiMAXto support long distance, low-bandwidth telecommunications, or shortdistance, high-bandwidth transmissions. Furthermore, WiMAX can also beadapted for focused point-to-point communication, or geographicallydiffuse cellular network applications.

Typical cellular communication systems exploit a wireless link betweenclient or mobile devices (e.g., User Equipment (UE) in a 3G network) andBase-Stations (BS) to exchange information. In regard to downlinktransmissions (i.e. BS transmitting to client or UE), cellular systemscan be classified as either: (i) a one-to-one communication, where asingle BS is communicating with a single UE; or (ii) a many-to-onecommunication, where multiple Base Stations are communicating with asingle UE.

Referring to FIG. 1A, in one typical implementation of a prior art WiMAXcellular network 100, multiple S-OFDMA base stations 102 simultaneouslytransmit identical data streams across the same frequency withinrespective wireless coverage areas 104. This form of networkarchitecture (not limited to WiMAX networks) is also commonly referredto as a Single Frequency Network (SFN). As shown, BS₁ 102A, BS₂ 102B,and BS₃ 102C—having wireless coverage areas 104A, 104B and 104C,respectively—each provide a unique path to the UE 106. These channelcharacteristics can be symbolically demonstrated with a Channel ImpulseResponse (CIR) 108A, 108B, 108C, where an impulse transmitted from eachBS in a “vacuum” is represented with its incident response at the UEantenna.

Single Frequency Networks have unique advantages and disadvantagescompared to other one-to-one cellular systems. In certain applications,SFNs may provide better coverage than their one-to-one counterparts. Twoor more SFN base stations may cooperate such that within theiroverlapping coverage areas, their signals incident at the receiverconstructively interfere. SFN base stations may advantageously use this“beamforming” capability to efficiently utilize spectral resources.Unfortunately, due to the nature of SFN synchronicity, both receiver andbase stations implementations have significantly more complexity whencompared to their one-to-one counterparts.

FIG. 1B illustrates an aggregate BS_(N) CIR at the UE 106. As shown, thearray of BSs 102A, 102B and 102C may be modeled with a superimpositionof the previous CIRs 108A, 108B, and 108C from each individual BScreating a single-source transmission from an aggregate BS 102ABC with acorresponding aggregate channel impulse response 108ABC. The UE does nothave any method of identifying which portion of the aggregate impulsewas generated by which BS. In standard prior art operation, the UE doesnot need to identify the originating BS for each received data stream.Instead, the UE uses a standard single-source decoder to extract thedata, treating each incoming data stream as separate “diversity”streams. This is also commonly referred to as macrodiversity (where thedistance between diversity antennas is much greater than the wavelengthof operation).

Location Determination Services

A current topic of interest in wireless (e.g., cellular) networks is thedetermination of physical location. Physical location has a wide varietyof applications for both subscribers, as well as for generalized networkoperation. The desirability of location management services withincellular networks is evidenced by the deployment of Global PositioningSatellite (GPS, as well as Assisted GPS or AGPS) receiver functionalitywithin cellular phones. The first handsets with integrated GPS wereavailable for broad consumer availability on networks in 2002 inresponse to, inter alia, U.S. FCC mandates for handset positioning inemergency calls. Development of location-based services for widespreadcustomer access by network, and third party software developer featureswere slower in coming, but have gained in popularity as of the date ofthis filing.

Some common applications utilizing user location information includenavigation aids, child safety/location, and fleet management. A typicalconsumer street navigation aid receives an input location coordinate andcalculates optimal directions to a destination location using internallystored street maps. Other uses for personal navigation devices mayinclude hiking, and/or other outdoors based activities in unfamiliarsemi-urban/rural areas. In addition, many businesses use locationmanagement devices for fleet management. Fleet management devices areused to track the locations of vehicles to improve productivity,resource management, and/or delivery efficiency.

The network operator may also advantageously implement locationdetermination services within subscriber equipment. As previouslymentioned, one example of location determination required by the networkoperator is the Emergency 911 (E911) physical location service. Duringan E911 call, a cellular phone is required to report its currentphysical proximity, to assist in deployment of emergency services.

Current E911 implementations within cellular networks may utilize theaforementioned Assisted GPS (A-GPS) system or complete GPS solutions.For low-cost devices, location determination may also be achieved bytriangulating signals originating from distinct Base Stations. Since theUser Equipment cannot distinguish overlapping signals the varioussignals must be orthogonal in time or frequency. Dedicating such time orfrequency resources for location determination is costly, andinefficient.

As discussed previously, most current solutions for locationdetermination utilize a GPS, or an assisted GPS (AGPS) receiver. Othersolutions for global positioning, such as GLONASS (Russian), Galileo(European Union), Beidou (China), etc. also use similar satellitereception technologies. A GPS receiver comprises a high gain antenna,processing chip, and a very precise timekeeping device. Due to the highattenuation of satellite signals and relatively specialized nature ofsatellite reception, a GPS unit is typically bundled together, andimplemented in isolation from the other cell phone components.

Referring to FIG. 2A, an exemplary GPS system 200 comprising a prior artGPS receiver 206 operating within a system or constellation of satellitetransmitters 202 is illustrated. The GPS receiver receives a timevarying satellite transmission from each satellite. All GPS satellitesare synchronized to a single “GPS time reference”. The GPS receiver thenuniquely identifies each received satellite transmission. The timevarying nature of each satellite transmission is used with reference tothe GPS receiver's own time reference. By collecting sufficient datafrom multiple satellites, the GPS receiver can ascertain the absolute“GPS time reference”, and corresponding propagation time for eachreceived individual GPS signal. The propagation time for each receivedGPS signal is used to calculate the distance between each satellite andthe GPS receiver. Using the distances from each individual satellite,and the known location of each satellite with respect to the Earth 250(calculated with the assistance of the ephemeral data embedded withineach satellite transmission), the GPS receiver can determine its exactlocation.

Referring to FIG. 2B a simplified diagram of triangulation of a GPSreceiver 206 within a two dimensional plane is shown. The locations ofthe satellites 202A, 202B, and 202C are known, and expressed incoordinates C₁, C₂, and C₃. The propagation distances d₁, d₂, and d₃ aredetermined based on the propagation time multiplied by the speed oflight (c). As is shown, a distance d₁ from a first coordinate C uniquelyidentifies a ring of points r₁. An additional distance d₂ from a secondcoordinate C₂ uniquely identifies two points within the plane: p₂, andp₃. By including, yet another distance d₃ from a known coordinate C₃, aunique single point in the two-dimensional plane is described: p₃.Therefore, given a known coordinate system, and sufficient pathinformation, a GPS receiver can calculate its unique position p₃.

In a typical GPS receiver, at least five satellites are required topinpoint the GPS receiver's location (the additional 3^(rd) spatialdimension requires a fourth additional satellite; yet another fifthadditional satellite is required to remove timing ambiguity). Typically,a number greater than five is necessary to improve timing and channelaccuracy. Additional satellite information improves coordinate accuracyand time reference.

In addition to the GPS/AGPS solutions discussed above, several solutionshave been contemplated for location determination within SFN systems.For example, United States Patent Publication No. 20050148340 to Guyotpublished Jul. 7, 2005 and entitled “Method and apparatus for reportinglocation of a mobile terminal” discloses a method for use by a wirelesscommunication network in responding to a request originating from arequester for an estimate of the position of a mobile terminal. Therequest is provided via an LCS server along with a requested accuracy.The method includes a step in which a controller of the radio accessnetwork by which the mobile terminal is coupled to the cellular networkprovides a response to the request including not only theposition/location estimate but also either the accuracy of the estimatein a form directly useable by the LCS server (e.g. in same form as therequested accuracy), or an accuracy fulfillment indicator, i.e. anindication of whether the accuracy of the estimate is at least as goodas the requested accuracy.

United States Patent Publication No. 20050186967 to Ozluturk publishedAug. 25, 2005 and entitled “Multi-network location services support”discloses apparatus and methods for location of a portable device with atransmitter, such as a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) in acellular telecommunications network, which is obtained by a primarynetwork augmented by data obtained from a diverse network. In aparticular configuration, changes of the indication of the location, ofthe portable device are used to update positional information, such aspositional information obtained from a GPS receiver.

United States Patent Publication No. 20050266855 to Zeng et al.published Dec. 1, 2005, entitled “Method and system for radio mapfiltering via adaptive clustering” discloses a method for estimating alocation of a wireless device in a wireless local network. The methodincludes forming a first set comprised of the signal strength receivedfrom access points that the wireless device received a signal from andan indicator of no signal strength measured for access points that thewireless device did not receive a signal from. Next, a scan subset canbe formed comprised of access points in the first set that hasassociated signal strength. Next, a cluster comprised of the calibrationpoints can be formed based on the scan subset. A distance between thefirst set and each of the calibration point in the cluster can becalculated. Then, the smallest distance can be selected as the locationestimate.

Chinese Patent Publication No. CN1791266 to Duan, published Jun. 21,2006 and entitled “Urgent calling method capable of rapid positioning”discloses a fast-location emergence call method comprising; the mobileplatform sending the emergency call request information with locationdetection information to wireless network controller to transfer tomobile exchange center; the latter builds the emergency call betweenmobile platform and emergency help center according to information andlocates the mobile platform. Wherein, the said information is thedetection result of SFN-SFN observation time difference of two basestation sub area signal after wireless network controller sendingdetection control information.

United States Patent Publication No. 20060240843 to Spain et al.,published Oct. 26, 2006 and entitled “Estimating the location of awireless terminal based on non-uniform locations” discloses a techniquefor estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknownlocation in a geographic region. The technique is based on therecognition that there are traits of electromagnetic signals that aredependent on topography, the receiver, the location of the transmitter,and other factors. For example, if a particular radio station is knownto be received strongly at a first location and weakly at a secondlocation, and a given wireless terminal at an unknown location isreceiving the radio station weakly, it is more likely that the wirelessterminal is at the second location than at the first location.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,974 to Cedervall, et al. issued Jan. 4, 2000entitled “Method and system for determining position of a cellularmobile terminal” discloses a method and system by which a round-tripcalculation is used to determine the distance between a mobile radiostation (MS) and a radio base station (BS) using the apparent uplink anddownlink signal propagation air-times (e.g., T-up and T-down). As such,no absolute time reference is required. The MS and BS report to aservice node in the mobile network the local departure and arrival timesof the uplink and downlink signals, and calculate the apparentair-times, T-up and T-down. The distance, D, between the MS and BS canbe calculated as D=c(T-up+T-down)/2, where “c” equals the speed oflight. The distances, D1, D2 and D3, to at least three base stationswhose locations are known, can be used in a triangulation algorithm todetermine the MS's position.

WIPO Publication No. 2007/112696 published Apr. 4, 2007 to Zhang andentitled “Method and system for realizing multimedia broadcast multicastservice” discloses a method and a system for realizing multimediabroadcast multicast service. While receiving the multimedia broadcastmulticast service in a SFN network, the user equipment obtains the idletransmission interval time slot in a transmission interval between twosuccessive frames or in a transmission interval of a frame via thecompression mode or data scheduling by the schedule unit. The userequipment could handover to the LTE network (or other networks) toperform measurement, registration or paging correspondence as required.The user equipment could handoff to the LTE network to perform cellreselection or location area update during the transmission intervaltime slot based on the measurement results. When receiving a call, theuser equipment could handoff to the LTE network to send arejection-receiving-message or receive corresponding service during thetransmission interval time slot.

United States Patent Publication No. 20070202880 to Seo et al. publishedAug. 30, 2007 and entitled “Method of estimating location of terminal inswitched-beamforming based wireless communication system” discloses aterminal location estimation method in a wireless communication systemin which an access point (AP) provides an access service to a pluralityof terminals that includes defining a plurality of beam spaces aroundthe AP through space multiplexing; scheduling the beam spaces accordingto a predetermined pattern; simultaneously forming a beam in at leastone beam space; and detecting the existence and location of a terminalaccording to whether a response message in response to the formed beamis received. Accordingly, an AP forms beams in a predeterminedscheduling pattern, and each of the terminals detecting the beamsregisters its location by informing the AP that each of the terminalsexists in a relevant beam area, and thus, a location of each of theterminals can be estimated without using a complex DOA algorithm.

United States Patent Publication No. 20070225912 to Grush published Sep.27, 2007 and entitled “Private, auditable vehicle positioning system andon-board unit for same” discloses a system and method to generate aprivate, auditable, evidentiary quality record of the location-historyof an asset or person. Grush addresses ten improvements over existingsystems that are proposed or used for metering for payment services fortolling roads, parking or pay-as-you-drive insurance, namely,cost-effective location accuracy in harsh signal environments,evidentiary assurance of location estimation, handling of dynamic andstationary positioning in a single device, high-ratio compression for aset of stationary positions in urban canyon, high-ratio compression fora dynamic tracklog in urban canyon, high-ratio compression for a set ofasset motion behaviors, a method of remote device health check,including anti-tampering, removal of residual price assignment errors,anonymous use without on-board maps, and a method of deconsolidatingpayments to multiple payees with multiple payment regimes. This systemcan be applied to road-pricing, congestion-pricing,metered-by-the-minute parking and pay-as-you-drive insurance,incorporating privacy management, and legal admissibility of theevidentiary record. This same device can also be applied to vehicularfleets, military ordinance, or other location audits for assets whethermotorized or not, as might be needed in evidence of contract fulfillmentor other forms of non-real time geofencing audits.

United States Patent Publication No. 20080004042 to Dietrich et al.published Jan. 3, 2008 and entitled “Enhanced wireless node locationusing differential signal strength metric” discloses a wireless nodelocation mechanism that employs a differential signal strength metric toreduce the errors caused by variations in wireless node transmit power,errors in signal strength detection, and/or direction-dependent pathloss. As opposed to using the absolute signal strength or power of an RFsignal transmitted by a wireless node, implementations of the locationmechanism compare the differences between signal strength valuesdetected at various pairs of radio receivers to correspondingdifferences characterized in a model of the RF environment. Oneimplementation searches for the locations in the model between each pairof radio receivers where their signal strength is different by anobserved amount.

Despite the variety of the foregoing approaches, current locationdetermination capabilities for UEs require large amounts of dedicatedresources, such as additional integrated circuits, processing overhead,and/or increased power consumption. These requirements come at anappreciable cost, whether in terms of actual monetary cost ofmanufacturing the UE or providing the user's subscription service, or interms of reduced performance (e.g., reduced battery life, etc.).Accordingly, there is a salient need for improvements to currentsolutions for mobile device location determination.

Ideally, such improved methods and apparatus would work in existingwireless or cellular network infrastructure with little to noreplacement of current hardware deployments, and minimal to no impact onsoftware configuration. Such methods and apparatus would also betransparent to non-enabled UE.

Furthermore, a desirable solution would provide estimations of UElocation to within a certain level of accuracy, so as to facilitate andsupport services which require such level of accuracy in order to beuseful to the subscriber.

In addition, such improved apparatus and methods would obviate the needfor expensive and/or dedicated hardware components, such as thosecommonly used for a satellite co-receiver (e.g. GPS).

These improved apparatus and methods would also advantageously leverageexisting network (e.g., single frequency network or SFN) topology toenable a UE to identify its location regardless of where in the networkit is actually located; i.e., without “holes” in location determinationcoverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the aforementioned needs by providingimproved apparatus and methods for location determination within awireless network.

In a first aspect of the invention, a method of broadcasting signalswithin a wireless network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the networkcomprises a Single Frequency Network (SFN) having a plurality oftransmitters, and the method comprises including transmitter-specificinformation in at least a portion of data frames transmitted from thetransmitters.

In one variant, the SFN comprises a WiMAX (IEEE Std, 802.16) compliantnetwork.

In another variant, the transmitter-specific information is adapted sothat a receiver of the signals transmitted from the plurality oftransmitters can uniquely resolve at least a portion of the signals fromindividual ones of the transmitters. The method further comprises usingthe unique resolution of at least a portion of the signals forperforming a location determination of the receiver.

In another embodiment, the method of broadcasting signals is within awireless network to enable location determination, and the methodcomprises: providing a radio signal adapted to communicate data withinthe network, at least a portion of the data comprising a data payload;embedding a plurality of identifiable signatures within the data;weighting the data; and transmitting the data to one or more receivingdevices. The identifiable signatures and the weighting enabletriangulation of the one or more receiving devices.

In one variant, the data payload is identically transmitted frommultiple locations within the network, and at least a subset of theidentifiable signatures is uniquely transmitted from a single location.

In another variant the weighting of data is performed at least in partby utilizing coefficients from an orthogonal matrix. The orthogonalmatrix may comprise a normalized orthogonal matrix or a Walsh-Hadamardmatrix.

In another variant the act of weighting comprises multiplying at least aportion of the payload by at least a portion of an orthogonal matrix.The act of weighting may further comprise weighting at least a portionof the identifiable signatures using the orthogonal matrix.

In yet another variant, the act of weighting enables the determinationof at least one path characteristic.

In still another variant, the identifiable signatures are used at leastin part to identify the originating transmission location of the data.

In still yet another variant, the wireless network comprises a cellularnetwork compliant with a WiMAX Standard, and at least a portion of thereceiving devices comprise cellular telephones. The wireless network maycomprise a cellular single frequency network (SFN).

In a second aspect of the invention, a computer readable apparatus isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the computer readable apparatus comprisesa storage medium storing at least one computer program, the programcomprising instructions which, when executed by a processing device,enable resolving of two or more signal components (e.g., from differentbase stations in an SFN network) for, inter alia, use in locationdetermination within the network. The instructions comprise: one or morefirst instructions adapted to separate one or more data streams into atleast two corresponding components comprising a unique component and acommon component; one or more second instructions adapted to derive fromthe unique component one or more parameters related to a physical path;one or more third instructions adapted to generate an indication of aphysical location.

In one variant, the computer readable apparatus further comprises one ormore fourth instructions adapted to perform operations unrelated tolocation determination on the common component.

In another variant, the one or more third instructions derive theindication of the physical location, at least in part, from the uniquecomponent. Alternatively, the one or more third instructions may derivethe indication of physical location, at least in part, from the commoncomponent.

In still another variant, the computer readable apparatus comprises amemory resident within a mobile wireless device.

In yet another variant, the one or more first instructions, the one ormore second instructions and the one or more third instructions are notcontinuously executed.

In a third aspect of the invention, a wireless device is disclosed. Inone embodiment, the wireless device comprises: a digital processor; awireless interface in data communication with the wireless interface andconfigured to receive wireless data; apparatus configured to operate ina legacy mode and a non-legacy mode, wherein: the legacy mode comprisesprocessing data as if received from one source; and the non-legacy modecomprises processing data as if received from multiple identifiablesources.

In one variant, the wireless interface is configured to interface to acellular Single Frequency Network (SFN). The Single Frequency Networkcomprises for example a WiMAX-compliant network.

In another variant, the digital processor is operatively linked to theapparatus of the wireless device.

In yet another variant, the wireless device comprises a multi-touch userinterface that can accommodate and respond to at least two user touchinputs simultaneously.

In yet a further variant, the legacy mode operation comprises processinglearning sequence (LS) data.

In another variant, the non-legacy mode operation comprises processingat least one of: (i) weighted payload data; and (ii) weighted basestation identification information.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a method of obtaining performanceenhancement is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is adapted toobtain diversity-based performance enhancement within a wirelessnetwork, and comprises: receiving data for transmission over a wirelessinterface; weighting at least a portion of the data based on anorthogonal matrix; and transmitting the weighted data to at least onereceiving device of the network. The weighting introduces additionaldiversity into the data.

In one variant, the weighting comprises: utilizing a first weighting fora first plurality of frames of the data; and utilizing a secondweighting for a second plurality of frames of the data.

In another variant, at least one of the first and second weightingsintroduces constructive interference within at least a portion of thetransmitted signal received by the at least one receiving device.

In another variant, the method further comprises processing thetransmitted weighted data within the at least one receiving device.

In still another variant, the method further comprises distributing atleast a portion of the weighted data over multiple data frames in orderto obtain a maximum diversity gain.

In yet another variant, the act of distributing is performed at least inpart using an interleaver.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a method of broadcasting signals isdisclosed. In one embodiment, a method of broadcasting signals within awireless network to enable location determination, the method comprises:providing a radio signal adapted to communicate data within the network;embedding a plurality of identifiable signatures within the data;determining a weighting matrix size necessary to avoid ambiguity betweenat least two base stations within the network; generating a matrix ofthe determined size; weighting the data according to the matrix; andtransmitting the data to one or more receiving devices; wherein theidentifiable signatures and the weighting enable at least one of theplurality of receiving devices to identify the base stations withoutambiguity.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, a method of providing the locationof a mobile device within a wireless network is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the method comprises: providing a plurality of data frames;inserting identification fields into at least a portion of the frames;and encoding at least a portion of the frames using a matrix. Theidentification fields and the encoding enable a receiver to determinethe identity of multiple unique base stations transmitting the frames,and the transmission of the frames is performed using a single time slotand a single frequency.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will immediatelybe recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference tothe attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodimentsas given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a graphical illustration of an exemplary prior art WiMAXcellular network architecture, including multiple S-OFDMA base stations.

FIG. 1B is a graphical illustration of an aggregate prior art basestation channel impulse response (CIR) at the UE of the networkillustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates exemplary prior art global positioning system (GPS)architecture.

FIG. 2B is a simplified diagram showing prior art triangulation of a GPSreceiver within a two dimensional plane.

FIG. 3A is a logical flow diagram illustrating process flow for a firstexemplary method of base station operation in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a logical flow diagram illustrating process flow for a firstexemplary method of user equipment (UE) operation in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a logical flow diagram illustrating process flow for a firstexemplary method of network-based estimation of UE location inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4A graphically illustrates exemplary Walsh-Hadamard matrices of thetype useful with the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a graphical illustration of a prior art SFN transmissionframe structure.

FIG. 4C is a graphical illustration showing insertion of a short fieldcontaining the ID of each base station into the frame structure of FIG.4B in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4D is a graphical illustration of the resultant vectors transmittedfrom the base station with orthogonal weighting vectors in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a system comprising multiple single frequencynetworks (SFNs) operating concurrently in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a system with multiple SFNs having unevendistributions operating concurrently in accordance with the principlesof the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating exemplary client apparatusaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary serving base stationapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

As used herein, the terms “client device”, “end user device” and “userequipment” or “UE” include, but are not limited to cellular telephones,smartphones (such as for example an iPhone™), personal computers (PCs),such as for example an iMac™, Mac Pro™, Mac Min™ or MacBook™, andminicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, or otherwise, as well as mobiledevices such as handheld computers, PDAs, video cameras, set-top boxes,personal media devices (PMDs), such as for example an iPod™, or anycombinations of the foregoing.

As used herein, the term “computer program” or “software” is meant toinclude any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps which performa function. Such program may be rendered in virtually any programminglanguage or environment including, for example, C/C++, Fortran, COBOL,PASCAL, assembly language, markup languages (e.g., HTML, SGML, XML,VoXML), and the like, as well as object-oriented environments such asthe Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Java™ (includingJ2ME, Java Beans, etc.), Binary Runtime Environment (BREW), and thelike.

As used herein, the term “integrated circuit (IC)” refers to any type ofdevice having any level of integration (including without limitationULSI, VLSI, and LSI) and irrespective of process or base materials(including, without limitation Si, SiGe, CMOS and GaAs). ICs mayinclude, for example, memory devices (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, DDRAM,EEPROM/Flash, and ROM), digital processors, SoC devices, FPGAs, ASICs,ADCs, DACs, transceivers, memory controllers, and other devices, as wellas any combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term “memory” includes any type of integratedcircuit or other storage device adapted for storing digital dataincluding, without limitation. ROM. PROM, EEPROM, DRAM, SDRAM, DDR/2SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SRAM, “flash” memory (e.g., NAND/NOR), andPSRAM.

As used herein, the terms “microprocessor” and “digital processor” aremeant generally to include all types of digital processing devicesincluding, without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reducedinstruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors,microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable computefabrics (RCFs), array processors, secure microprocessors, andapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digitalprocessors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or distributedacross multiple components.

As used herein, the terms “network” and “bearer network” refer generallyto any type of data, telecommunications or other network including,without limitation, data networks (including MANs, PANs, WANs, LANs,WLANs, micronets, piconets, internets, and intranets), hybrid fiber coax(HFC) networks, satellite networks, cellular networks, and telconetworks. Such networks or portions thereof may utilize any one or moredifferent topologies (e.g., ring, bus, star, loop, etc.), transmissionmedia (e.g., wired/RF cable, RF wireless, millimeter wave, optical,etc.) and/or communications or networking protocols (e.g., SONET,DOCSIS, IEEE Std. 802.3, 802.11, ATM, X.25, Frame Relay, 3GPP, 3GPP2,WiMAX, WAP, SIP, UDP, FTP, RTP/RTCP, H.323, etc.).

As used herein, the terms “network interface” or “interface” typicallyrefer to any signal, data, or software interface with a component,network or process including, without limitation, those of the FireWire(e.g., FW400, FW800, etc.), USB (e.g., USB2), Ethernet (e.g., 10/100,10/100/1000 (Gigabit Ethernet), 10-Gig-E, etc.), MoCA, Serial ATA (e.g.,SATA, e-SATA, SATAII), Ultra-ATA/DMA, Coaxsys (e.g., TVnet™), radiofrequency tuner (e.g., in-band or OOB, cable modem, etc.), WiFi(802.11a,b,g,n), WiMAX (802.16), PAN (802.15), IrDA or other wirelessfamilies.

As used herein, the terms “WiMAX” and “IEEE 802.16 Standard” referwithout limitation to, as applicable, IEEE-Std. 802.16-2004 (oftenreferred to as 802.16d) entitled “IEEE Standard for Local andmetropolitan area networks—Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed BroadbandWireless Access Systems” dated Oct. 1, 2004, IEEE Standard 802.16eentitled “IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks—Part16: Air Interface for Fixed and Mobile Broadband Wireless AccessSystems—Amendment 2: Physical and Medium Access Control Layers forCombined Fixed and Mobile Operation in Licensed Bands and Corrigendum1”, and IEEE-Std. 802.16m, and any revisions thereof, which areindividually and collectively incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

As used herein, the term “wireless” means any wireless signal, data,communication, or other interface including without limitation Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, 3G (e.g., 3GPP, 3GPP2, and UMTS), HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA, CDMA(e.g., IS-95A, WCDMA, etc.), FHSS, DSSS, GSM, PAN/802.15, WiFi (IEEE-Std802.11x, including 802.11n and 802.11VHT), WiMAX (802.16), MWBA/802.20,narrowband/FDMA, OFDM, PCS/DCS, analog cellular, CDPD, satellitesystems, millimeter wave or microwave systems, acoustic, and infrared(i.e., IrDA), IMT-Advanced, IMT 2000, and 3GPP LTE (long termevolution)/LTE-advanced.

Overview

In one fundamental aspect, the present invention provides, inter alia,methods and apparatus that enable a receiver (e.g., UE) to distinguishbetween the received channel characteristics of each of the multiplebase stations within its supporting Single Frequency Network (SFN).While SFN operation transmits an identical data stream from each basestation to the UE, in one aspect of the present invention, the identicaldata stream is: (i) concatenated or modified with a unique base stationidentifier; and (ii) encoded in a manner which can be separated by theUE. The UE, using the concatenated and encoded data stream, cancalculate path characteristics (such as path latency, and Direction ofArrival (DoA)) to triangulate its position within the SFN.

In one embodiment, the weighting of frames from base stations isutilized. The method of frame weighting is governed in one variant byscalar and/or complex factors taken from an orthonormal matrix M. Theproperties of the matrix M enable the UE to uniquely identify the basestation of origin. In addition, by embedding a base station signaturewithin each frame, the UE can determine the path characteristics foreach correspondingly unique base station.

Advantageously, UE “transparency” is maintained via the foregoingapproach; i.e., assuming that the UE uses only data (learning symbols)of a single data frame to perform channel estimation, no modification tothe receiver architecture is required. The signals “observed” by thereceiver correspond to an addition of all impulse responses just as withthe prior art SFN approach, with the exception of the weighting by thematrix M in the present invention. Stated differently, the weighting(and unique embedded IDs) require no specialized or different decoderarchitecture. Moreover, for those receivers not using the locationestimation capabilities provided by the matrix and IDs, no knowledge ofthe matrix M is required, thereby making the transmitted signals of thepresent invention completely “transparent” to legacy devices.

In another aspect of the invention, methods for providing unique basestation identification to a receiving device are disclosed.Specifically, methods are utilized to “overload” base stations ontoorthonormal codes, such as in cases where the codes are not otherwisesufficient to uniquely resolve each base station's identity. Theoverloading of codes enables a finite number of codes to be reused amongany number of base stations through careful planning of code assignmentswith respect to geography, and UE deployments. This approachadvantageously maintains the smallest possible code matrix.Alternatively, more codes (i.e., a larger matrix) can be produced tohandle the overload and allow for completely unique code assignment.

More generally, the UE may perform source separation of the SFN signalsand send the separated Channel Impulse Responses (CIR) to the network.In two such exemplary embodiments, the application level processingfunctionality (e.g. UE position determination) is performed within theSFN itself (versus the receiver), facilitated either by: (i) the UEpassing “raw” extracted path data to an entity within the network, or(ii) partially processed path data within uplink transmissions from theUE to multiple base stations. The network returns application specificresults (e.g. location, and or coordinates) of the UE to the UE ifdesired, and/or to third parties or other entities (e.g., a locationupdate website accessible by a user), such as for fleet vehiclelocation, child location by parents, etc.).

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described indetail. While these embodiments are primarily discussed in the contextof a Single Frequency Network (SFN) network, and more specifically tofourth generation (4G) WiMAX networks, it will be recognized by those ofordinary skill that the present invention is not so limited. In fact,the various aspects of the invention are useful in any wireless networkthat can benefit from, among other things, (i) the ability to resolveindividual signals from one another; and/or (ii) enabling location ortriangulation techniques within its clients, using many-to-one downlinkcommunication links, as is disclosed herein. For example, variousaspects of the invention can be applied to other advancedtelecommunication technologies include IMT-Advanced (InternationalMobile Telecommunications Advanced), which is a technology from the ITUfor mobile communication systems with capabilities which go further thanthat of IMT-2000. IMT-Advanced was previously known as “systems beyondIMT-2000”.

Similarly, various aspects of the invention can utilized within the 3GPPLTE/LTE advanced framework. LTE-Advanced comprises inter alia a softwareupgrade for LTE networks and enables peak download rates over 1 Gbit/s.It also targets higher spectral efficiency, faster switching betweenpower states and improved performance at the cell edge.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that the techniques described hereinare not necessarily limited to “SFNs” per se, but rather may be appliedto any network where multiple wireless signals converge at least partlywithin a single frequency or frequency band, and would be otherwiseinseparable or indistinguishable.

Referring back to FIG. 1A demonstrating the prior art CIR 108 of a SFN100, multiple BS 102 are transmitting to the UE 106. In order to performlocation estimation in the UE, based on triangulation techniques, the UEmust be able to estimate the reception characteristics (i.e., Directionof Arrival (DoA), multipath characteristics, reception power, etc.) pereach transmitting BS. In a typical SFN, the UE intentionally does notidentify specific BSs, as it is unnecessary for transmit macrodiversityoperation, and extremely inefficient in both hardware and softwareimplementations. A typical SFN is consequently designed such that the UE“sees” only one single equivalent transmitting source as illustrated(and previously explained) in FIG. 1B. Without additional information,the identification of each single BS is quasi-impossible (or extremelycostly in terms of calculation power, power consumption, etc.).

The exemplary embodiment of the invention disclosed herein modifies andimproves upon the state-of-the-art SFN approach, such that existingadvantages of SFN approaches are maintained, while also affording the UEthe ability to determine inter alia: (i) the BS IDs of all distinct BSs,and (ii) the distinct channel impulse responses (CIRs) from each BS tothe UE. Once the UE has determined the distinct CIR, the UE can estimaterelative distances from each BS, and subsequently can triangulate togenerate an estimate of its location.

Methods— UE-Based Location Determination—

In one aspect of the invention, the method of operation can be logicallydivided between the operation of the base station(s) 102, and theoperation of the user equipment (UE) 106. Each base station isresponsible for individually modifying its waveform such that thereceiving user equipment may extract location determination parameters.However, in one exemplary embodiment now described, the base station isnot directly involved with the calculation of location determination(i.e., the base station does not determine the location of the userequipment). Rather, the user equipment (or a proxy or other device incommunication therewith) is responsible for extraction of locationdetermination parameters, and location determination.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, an exemplary method of base station operationis described. At step 302, the base station determines if locationdetermination is supported for the user equipment. For example, eachbase station may be set into a default mode; such a mode may enablelocation determination all of the time, part of the time (e.g., onlywhen certain prescribed criteria are met, such as when the UE islocation-determination enabled, during certain windows of time, whencertain signals are received, etc.), or at no time.

The embedding of parameters within the transmitted data stream from theBS may be performed according to any number of different schemes,including for example: (i) on a user-by-user selectable basis, (ii) oneor more UEs only when certain criteria are met (e.g., UE islocation-enabled and registered within the network, and the BS hassufficient processing bandwidth to accommodate, etc.); (iii)periodically; or (iv) at all times for all registered UEs. Myriad othercombinations and permutations of conditions under which location-relatedparameters are embedded within the BS transmissions will be appreciatedby those of ordinary skill given the present disclosure.

Additionally, the location determination mode may be dynamicallyinitiated (such as upon request), which in some commercialimplementations would require the existence of messaging capabilitiesbetween the UE and BS (e.g., the UE sending a “location request” orsimilar message to the relevant BSs, and the latter responding byembedding the necessary parameters within their transmissions, andoptionally sending an “ACK” or grant message). Extant message capabilitymay also be modified for this purpose, such as where an existingupstream message (i.e., from UE to BS) is modified to carry an extrafield, flag or bit to indicate that location data is being requested.

As described elsewhere herein, there may be a fixed or limited number ofparameters (such as a base station ID) embedded by the BS in itstransmission(s); therefore, it is advantageous in certain situations toonly enable specific base stations within the network to participate inlocation determination operation, thereby avoiding re-use of IDs orpossible identification ambiguity.

At step 304 of the method of FIG. 3A, the base station receives the datapayload for transmission via the network. Within a cellular network,this data payload typically comprises voice and/or data for transmissionacross a wireless link (air interface) between the BS and thedestination UE.

At step 306, the base station couples a unique identifier (e.g., BS ID)to the transmitted data stream. In one embodiment, the base stationembeds a unique identifier within the transmitted data stream such thatthe receiver can correlate each unique base station to each uniquetransmission. In some other embodiments, it may be desirable toimplement time-specific unique identifiers. A time-specific ortime-variant unique identifier may be useful for any number of purposes,such as for further protection against multipath effects (e.g., byspecifying windows of time only during which an identifier is valid or“good”, thereby eliminating late-arriving multipath transmissions fromconsideration), security or prevention of surreptitious use of thenetwork (e.g., fraud), etc.

In one example of a “time varying” use case, the serving set ofbase-stations is changing (there may be various SFNs at distinctfrequencies, where the various BSs are constantly changing their“participation” in multiple SFNs). In such a case, the UE coulddetermine the valid BSs, based at least in part, on the time varyingidentifier.

In another example of “time varying” use, BSs constantly changing theirID following a predefined (secret) pattern. If the UE knows the pattern,it can identify “hacker BSs” which illegally service the SFN. Anotherfraud prevention mechanism could comprise choosing the BS IDs in such away that a combination (by a predefined function) of all BS within a FSNwould to result in a predefined value. In this manner, only the BS knowthe (secret) ID sequences and the UE could identify the presence of a“hacker BS” without knowing the secret ID sequences. The UE need onlyknow the combination function and the resulting value.

At step 308, the base station weights its data payload. As describedfurther subsequently herein, each participating base station weights itscorresponding transmission appropriately such that each data payload maybe individually separated at the receiver.

At step 310, the base station transmits its modified transmission. Thebase station may require additional timing or frequency modifications,or transmitter conditioning, to comply with other existing neighbor basestations and/or user equipment prior to transmission. Additionally,other processing such as channel coding (e.g. Viterbi, Turbo,Reed-Solomon, etc.) may be performed on the data stream prior totransmission.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, an exemplary embodiment of the method of userequipment operation is described. At step 352, the user equipment may“implicitly” receive location determination information from the network(i.e., receive the constantly streamed location determination enablinginformation without a request therefor), or the UE alternatively mayexplicitly request location determination information such as via therequest/grant message protocol previously described.

In one variant, the user equipment is set into a user- ornetwork-definable default mode. Such a mode would for example enablelocation determination according to the prescribed definition or rule;e.g., all of the time, part of the time (when certain criteria were metfor example), or at no time. For instance, the network operator may optto activate localization features for a subscriber group (e.g.localization is an optional service, etc.). Furthermore, the userequipment may determine that location determination capability isnecessary on an application-by-application basis; e.g., when a userinvokes navigation or other such software application on the UE whichrequires location or position data as an input.

At step 354, the user equipment receives the modified transmission fromthe base station(s). The user equipment may, in some embodiments,require additional timing, frequency modifications or receiverconditioning of the received transmission(s). Furthermore, channeldecoding techniques may be implemented in order to correcttransmission-induced corruption or other errors.

At step 356, the user equipment (UE) extracts the unique identifiers,and identifies each subsequent base station data stream. Based on theweighting of each signal stream, and the embedded identifier, the userequipment correlates each signal stream path to its correspondingoriginating base station. The un-weighted data payload is passed toother user equipment logical processes for standard wireless networkprocessing.

At step 358, the user equipment extracts transmission pathcharacteristics. After the user equipment has identified each individualpath per step 356 above, the user equipment can extract correspondingpath characteristics. Using the derived path characteristics, the userequipment can calculate its relative distance from each received basestation.

At step 360, the user equipment determines its relative location withrespect to the base stations using position location (e.g.,triangulation) techniques. Once the user equipment has determined itsrelative location, it may use base station or other coordinates toestablish an absolute position or geographic location (e.g., LAT/LON orother coordinate system).

Network-Based Location Determination Embodiments—

The foregoing embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B in effect require the UE toperform the path data extraction and location estimation operations; thebase stations merely encode or modify their transmissions as previouslydescribed (FIG. 3A) in order to provide the UE with the necessaryinformation, and the UE uses this information (FIG. 3B) to estimate itslocation.

However, an alternate method of operation is envisaged; i.e., whichoffloads at least portions of the complexity of location determinationfrom the user equipment 106 to a location determination entity or proxy.This approach has the advantage of inter alia, reducing the complexityof the UE and allowing it to be “thinner” and/or consume less electricalpower.

In one such alternate embodiment, each base station (BS) records acorresponding time of arrival (TOA) or time shift of the uplink signalfrom the user equipment (UE), based on an established network time baseor reference (which is already intrinsic to the network in order topermit proper synchronization as previously described). Each basestation communicates its time information to the location determinationentity (which may comprise for example a dedicated server which isnetworked with the BS or the MSC). The location determination entityuses the time information and the corresponding base station locations(which are known and may be stored within the server), to identify theunique position of the UE, advantageously without requiring anysignificant UE interaction. In one variant, the location determinationengine, e.g., software process running on a network device or a BS, istasked with performing the source separation task (i.e., resolving thesignals into their components from each BS) in order to determine itsposition with respect to the base stations. The BS provide theindividual propagation delays from the UE(s), thereby making it possibleto estimate the UE position(s).

The calculated location is then optionally transmitted to the requestingUEs (or all UEs) over higher layer software signaling, to enablelocation determination services. In this alternate embodiment, the userequipment is not directly involved with the calculation of locationdetermination (i.e. the base station and or location determinationentity determines the location of the user equipment).

Referring now to FIG. 3C, an exemplary method 370 of base stationoperation is described according to this alternate (network-based)configuration. As referenced above, it is presumed that the community ofbase stations is synchronized with respect to itself (i.e., each basestation is operating synchronous to other base stations).

At step 372, each base station conversant with the UE 106 of interestreceives UE uplink transmissions such as voice, data, or periodic uplinkchannel accesses. Literally any uplink communication can be utilized forthe purposes described herein.

Within a SFN, multiple base stations of the network receive the uplinktransmissions from the UE, but at varying time shifts due to differencesin path length. Channel decoding techniques may be implemented in orderto correct transmission induced corruption. Each base stationaccordingly calculates its corresponding time or receipt or shift basedon receipt of the UE's transmission; e.g., by reference to a systemclock or other such time index, for the actual TOA. Alternatively, thebase stations may collectively agree to time stamp a particular UEtransmission.

At step 374, a location determination entity in data communication withthe base stations receives the time information (e.g. time shifts/timestamps) from each base station with which the UE is conversant, and alsoaccesses the location of these base stations. In some embodiments, thelocation information regarding each base station may be pre-stored, andreferenced with a base station identifier. Alternatively, the basestation may transmit its location information contemporaneously to thedetermination entity (such as where moveable or mobile base stations areemployed). In one variant, the location determination entity resolvesthe individual base station signal components, and uses this informationas previously described to determine its relative position (and thenultimately that of the UE). At step 376, the location determinationentity calculates the location of the UE, using well-known triangulationor other techniques. Specifically, in one variant, and using timeinformation provided by the various base stations (and knowing that theUE transmitted the same uplink signal received by all the participatingbase stations at the same time), the determination entity can calculatea characteristic path distance for each BS/UE combination, which thenallows triangulation to obtain a relative position for the UE (i.e.,relative to the base stations). The location determination entity thenuses the fixed base station coordinates to establish an absoluteposition of the UE from the derived relative position. Alternatively,the relative position of the determination entity and the base stationsis used to determine UE location.

Multi-path effects (i.e., receipt of secondary, tertiary, etc. signalsfrom the UE at a base station due to multiple propagation paths) can belimited through use of various techniques known in the art includingwithout limitation spatial diversity or knowledge of DoA (e.g., whichelement of a multi-element azimuth-diverse antenna array that a givensignal was received on), received signal strength (RSSI), and/or timingwindows to filter late-arriving multipath components.

At step 378, the location determination entity signals the absolutelocation of the UE to either the network (e.g., Core Network) ordirectly to the UE, to enable location-based services. Any number ofdifferent return paths to provide the location information to the UE canbe used, including the WiMAX or cellular downlink, alternate transportsor air interfaces such as WiFi (IEEE-Standard 802.11) or satellitelinks, or even wireline interfaces such as Ethernet, DOCSIS cable modem,etc. This information can also be made available to other devices orparties, such as for example via an Internet website or other userinterface; e.g., for parents to locate their child's whereaboutsremotely, for fleet managers to locate their vehicles, etc. It can alsobe used for generating network-based statistics for cell/base stationuse, network planning, and the like.

Alternatively, instead of a separate location determination entity, oneof the base stations can be designated a “master” and the otherparticipating base stations “slaves” such that the slaves transmit thepertinent data to the master for calculation. The calculated UE positionis then directly downlinked back to the UE from the master station.Moreover, in a “hybrid” approach, the UE can perform a portion of thelocation estimation process; i.e., identification and extraction of thepath data from the downlink transmissions of the various base stations,and can then send this data back upstream to be processed at the (a)base station. This approach may be useful inter alia where: (i) there isa need or desire to conserve computational power or resources within theUE, (ii) the UE is partly inoperative (e.g., in a “sleep” state, andperforming the necessary calculations at the UE would require it to wakeup; or (iii) the UE is not the requesting or end user of the locationestimation (as may also be the case in the previously discussednetwork-based embodiment). In one embodiment, calculations are performedin the UE to perform source resolution/separation for the CIRs of allrelevant BSs. This comprises in one variant de-weighting of theWalsh-Hadamard coefficients (and some mathematical additions in order toseparate the individual component signals), and forwarding this resultto the BSs or to the location determination entity or entities.

Example Operation of UE-Based Location Determination—

In the context of the typical system of FIG. 1, the following examplefurther illustrates in detail the separation of location determinationinformation from an exemplary single frequency network according to themethods of FIGS. 3A and 3B (i.e., UE-based determination).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a UE 106 is operating within a SFN 100 withthree local base stations (BS₁ 102A, BS₂ 102B, and BS₃ 102C).

Exemplar Base Station Transmissions—

As indicated above, weighting or other modification of SFN transmissionsby various base stations is necessary such that the UEs can, inter alia,perform localization (location estimation) by triangulation. For thispurpose, a matrix of weighting coefficients is introduced to distinctlyidentify each BS. The exemplary matrices of the illustrated embodimentare selected to be orthonormal. Such orthonormality ensures that eachcolumn (or basis) of the matrix is both orthogonal (unique; i.e. not alinear superposition of the other basis), and normal (the sum of thesquares of the absolute values of one row is equal to “N”). Morespecifically, the matrix of the type shown in Eqn. (1) below:

$\begin{matrix}{M = \begin{bmatrix}m_{11} & m_{12} & \ldots & m_{1N} \\m_{21} & \ddots & \ddots & m_{2N} \\\vdots & \ddots & \ddots & \vdots \\m_{N\; 1} & \ldots & \ldots & m_{NN}\end{bmatrix}} & {{Eqn}.\mspace{11mu} (1)}\end{matrix}$

must satisfy:

M·M ^(H) =N·I  Eqn. (2)

where I is the identity matrix.Furthermore, 0^(H)=(0*)^(T) must be its hermitian transpose. Also, “N”typically corresponds to the number of distinct base stations considered

It will be appreciated that depending on the definition of“orthonormality” that is applied, the form M·M^(H)=I may be used aswell. This approach requires that the coefficients “m_kl” (see Eqn. (1))are weighted by “l/sqrt(N)”; i.e. the output signal strength of each BSis reduced with “N” rising.

In the present context, however, the BS output power may be desired tobe set at the maximum level independent on the number of BSparticipating in the FSN. In one such case, the factors m_kl aretypically chosen such that |m_kl|=1, which ensures that the BS outputpower is not affected. Consequently, we have M·M^(H)=N·I, since “N” BSwill increase the total power of the FSN by a factor “N”.

Practical examples for a matrix of the type previously described includewithout limitation:

-   -   1) The Walsh-Hadamard Matrix, constructed iteratively and        existing only for the sizes N=2^(X) with X=1, 2, 3, . . . per        Eqn. (3)

$\begin{matrix}{M_{2} = {{\begin{bmatrix}1 & 1 \\1 & {- 1}\end{bmatrix}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{20mu} M_{2n}} = \begin{bmatrix}M_{n} & M_{n} \\M_{n} & {- M_{n}}\end{bmatrix}}} & {{Eqn}.\mspace{11mu} (3)}\end{matrix}$

-   -   2) The Fourier Matrix existing for any integer “N”; the        coefficients of the N×N matrix M are

$m_{xy} = {{^{j\frac{2\pi}{N}{({x - 1})}{({y - 1})}}\mspace{14mu} {or}\mspace{20mu} m_{xy}} = {^{{- j}\frac{2\pi}{N}{({x - 1})}{({y - 1})}}.}}$

It is noted that one advantage of the Fourier matrix is that it existsin any dimension (and not only for N=2^(X) as for Walsh-Hadamard). Ithas principally the same properties as Walsh-Hadamard; e.g., with allelements being of unit module, yet also has complex elements(e^((j . . . ))), which may require more complex operations compared tothe +1/−1 elements of the Walsh-Hadamard matrices.

Other types of matrices meeting these requirements will also berecognized by those of ordinary skill in the mathematical arts, and maybe used consistent with the present invention for the purpose of interalia uniquely identifying each base station.

Referring to FIG. 4A, exemplary Walsh-Hadamard matrixes are diagrammed.The matrix M₄ 406 is constructed by expansion of M₂ ₄ 402 according toM_(2n) 404. Each of the columns of exemplary matrix M₄ 406, isorthogonal to the other columns; specifically, column one [1 1 1 1] isnot a scalar multiple of any combination of columns two [1 −1 1 −1],three [1 1 −1 −1], or four [1 −1 −1 1]. In addition, each base stationof the exemplary embodiment further embeds a unique signature withineach data frame, although different schemes and periodicities (e.g.,every n^(th) frame, etc.) may be used.

FIG. 4B illustrates a typical prior art SFN transmission frame structurefrom four (4) base stations (BS₁-BS₄). A series of data frames aretransmitted from each BS, each having a learning sequence (LS) 420 whichis used for inter alia channel estimation.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the exemplary embodiment of the present inventionmodifies the sequences of FIG. 4B by inserting a short field 424 in eachframe containing the identification (ID) of each BS. The placement ofthe LS and ID fields within each frame may also take on literally anyconfiguration, with that placement shown in FIG. 4C being merelyillustrative (for example, the order of the LS and ID fields might bepermuted, one placed after the other before the data “payload”, afterthe payload, and so forth).

Assuming that multiple BS transmit an ID signal simultaneously, astandard SFN UE would receive the superimposition of these signals, andwould be unable to decode anything. With the introduction of orthonormalweighting factors, the UE is able not only to extract the CIR of eachBS, but also any sequence transmitted by each BS. Thus, the weightinguniquely enables the extraction of the IDs from each BS. This extractionof distinct signals transmitted by each BS is not done in a standardFSN, since only the “mixture” (i.e. the superimposition of all signalsfrom all BSs) is decoded as a whole.

This field is also weighted by the same “m” factor that is applied toall samples of a frame (e.g., m₁₁ for Frame i of BS₁, m₁₂ for Frame i ofBS₂, and so forth).

It is noted that blocks of four (4) frames are used as the basis of thematrix multiplication in the embodiment of FIG. 4C; i.e., Frames ithrough i+3 are multiplied by matrices m_(1x) through m_(4x),respectively, and then this pattern is repeated for the next block offour frames, and so forth. However, other numbers of frames and blockarchitectures may be used consistent with the present invention.Moreover, different numbers of base stations may be used as well.

FIG. 4D shows the resulting new vectors transmitted from the basestations 412A, 412B, and 412C, with orthogonal weighting vectors derivedfrom the matrix M₄ 406.

Exemplary User Equipment Reception

At the receiving UE, the properties of the weighting matrix areexploited to distinctly identify each BS. Recalling that the exemplaryweighting matrix is orthonormal, assuming that the Ux1 vector v_(a)contains the Learning Sequence (LS) and/or “BS ID” sequences transmittedby BS number a (it is independent of frame number i, since it is assumedto be always the same content). Then, one received block (as illustratedin FIG. 4C) is expressed in FIG. 4A 408 where v_(tot,i) is the totalreceived signal vector for frame number i and H_(a) is the circulantchannel convolution matrix representing the channel between BS 102number a (the aggregate representation of BSs 102A, 102B, and 102C) andthe UE 106 and

is the Kronecker Matrix multiplication operator.

In the illustrated embodiment, the UE 106 retrieves the matrix M and itscorresponding transpose M^(H) coefficients, at a prior time (viatransmission from the BS), or locally (for the Walsh-Hadamard matrix M₄,the coefficients may be calculated, or hardeoded within memory). Usingthe aforementioned property of orthonormal matrices of Eqn. (2) (i.e.,M·M=N·I), the following relationship is obtained:

(M

I _(U))^(H)·(M

I _(U))=N·I _(NU)  Eqn. (4)

Therefore, the UE may use simple linear operations well known in thedigital signal processing arts to multiply the received bundle ofvectors v_(tot,i) by (M

I_(U))^(H) as shown in FIG. 4A (see element 410). More succinctly, theUE may derive the unique ID from the various BS v_(a) convolved by theircorresponding circulant channel convolution H_(a) response.

The path information obtained from the foregoing process is then used tocalculate location estimation based on transmission latency estimation,DoA estimation, power estimation, angle of arrival, time of arrival,etc.

In the simplest case, the difference in transmission latency (e.g., timeof transmission or receipt) between each received channel can be used tocalculate distance between the user equipment and the base station.Based on collective distances between known base station coordinates,the user equipment can calculate its location using triangulationtechniques as previously described. Additional information relating toeach base station, such as DoA and power estimation, may be used tofurther improve location accuracy. Furthermore, the multiple basestation reception also improves accuracy.

Unlike a standard SFN that utilizes an “observed” addition of allcommunication channel impulse responses, the modified SFN “observes”signals corresponding to an addition of all impulse responses, which areadditionally weighted by the orthonormal M factors described above. Asweighting does not change the demodulation techniques necessary fordecoding the data stream, typical channel estimation techniques withineach frame are sufficient for demodulation. Therefore, standard cellularoperation advantageously does not require any knowledge about theweighted configuration of the SFN, thereby having negligible impact onlegacy device configuration and operation.

Furthermore, assuming that the enabled UE only uses the LS of a singleframe in order to perform the channel estimation, no modification in thereceiver architecture is required.

Additionally, it is expected that the weighting metric of theillustrated embodiment will not lead to any performance degradation.Rather, some additional diversity is introduced, which will typicallylead to some performance gains. As in typical diversity operation, ifone configuration (i.e., one given weighting of frames) leads todestructive interference of the transmitted signals at the receiverlocation, the change of the M matrix codes at the next frame may lead toconstructive interference. In this operation, the varying weightingoperations may be handled within the UE in a manner similar to changingdiversity paths. Ideally, the data should be distributed (e.g., by aninterleaver or other such mechanism) over multiple frames in order toobtain the maximum diversity gain, although this is not a requirement ofpracticing the invention.

Theoretically, the channel is not allowed to change considerably over“N” symbols, thus in this disclosed mode of operation, the channels needto remain approximately constant or quasi-static over a minimum durationof N frames (i.e., corresponding to a low relative velocity between UEand BS). This is not a significant disability, however, since mostlocation estimation services would be utilized for a slowly moving orvirtually static receiver (e.g., fixed user, or mobile user not movingat a high rate of speed). Furthermore, in current OFDM systems, thechannel is unlikely to change over quite a large number of OFDM symbols;however in certain implementations this may not be true. Consequently,the present invention contemplates the use of logic which determineswhether sufficiently slow movement of the UE is occurring for a goodchannel path estimation to be obtained; if not, the determination isdeferred for a number of frames or blocks until such opportunity isavailable.

As previously stated, unlike typical SFN operation, the ID of each BS isdifferent. Therefore, for a single-source decoder, only onecorresponding ID and channel can be calculated each iteration. Toidentify the minimal four BSs (e.g., BS₁-B₄ in FIG. 4C), four iterationswould be necessary. In one variant, inexpensive logic is implementedwithin the UE processing in order to perform multiple channelcalculations in parallel. Yet other channel processing approaches willbe recognized by those of ordinary skill given the present disclosure aswell.

For applications of relatively sedentary or invariant nature, therepeating nature of the weighting may be used. For example, eachsubsequent path characteristic can be calculated at a leisurely rate(taking N*X frames where X is an integer).

It is also noted that UE devices within the network that are notrequired to or interested in determining UE location need not decode andextract the extra information relating to BS identification and pathparameters. These UE simply interpret the received signals as a “singlesource” signal as in the prior art approach, and perform an independentCIR estimation for each frame.

It will further be recognized that the foregoing exemplary weighting andembedded ID scheme can be considered to be a “mode switch” of sorts. TheLS is received in “legacy” mode, i.e. the UE has no knowledge whether itis originating from a single source or multiple sources (the decoding isidentical in both cases). The UE performs operations on the LS sequencesin order to obtain the signals which have been sent from the variousdistinct BS—this can be seen as a “non-legacy” mode. After this,however, the UE continues decoding the frame in “legacy” mode, i.e. thesuperimposed signals originating from distinct BS are decoded as such(without any separation of the signals). Stated differently, the UE seesall the base stations in the legacy mode as a single source, yetresolves them into individual entities (multi-source) in the non-legacymode.

It will also be noted that the unique identification of the various basestations may be used for both (i) dynamic selection of base stationsfrom a plurality of possible choices during non-legacy mode operation(e.g. for the separation of the LS sequences from distinct BS) and (ii)use for purposes other than UE location estimation. Specifically, theability to uniquely identify base stations with which the UE interactsallows for, inter alia, selection of one base station (or group of basestations) over another during non-legacy mode operation. For instance,in one variant, individual ones of a “pool” of Q base stations (Q beinggreater than the minimum number of base stations needed to resolvelocation) are evaluated and selected for use based on their individualproperties or performance. These properties may include for examplechannel quality, loading, or any number of different metrics which mightmake one base station more desirable for use with a given UE at thatparticular moment. This selection can be applied dynamically forlocation estimation, such as where the “weaker” station(s) or those withexcessive multipath or fading effects are replaced with better stations.

It will further be noted that while the Walsh-Hadamard weighting (orsimilar) is applied to the LS part only in various embodiments describedherein (thus allowing a separation of the LS sequences from allcontributing BS) and not the data part, the same operation canoptionally be introduced in at least parts of the data portion of theframe. A possible drawback of this latter (optional) approach would bethat the level of redundancy is increased (i.e., the same data symbolsneed to be repeated and weighted with the Walsh-Hadamard or similarcoefficients); however, the UE would also then have the ability toselect a subset of base stations whose transmitted signals it wants totake into account for the decoding process.

Similarly, the geographic position of the various stations may beconsidered in terms of accuracy or ability to render locationestimation. For instance, in the “corner case” of all four stations(BS₁-BS₄) in the prior example being substantially co-linear or on thesame geographic line as each other, the position accuracy or resolutionwould be poor or ineffective, where as replacing even one of thesestations with another (non co-linear) station would greatly enhance orenable location determination. Furthermore as the UE can estimate thepower of the various BS signals after signal separation, a weightedconsideration of the location data from the various BS may be taken intoaccount for the final location estimation. Such a method may weight poorsignals so they have less influence compared to strong signals, thusimproving overall location estimation accuracy.

Aside from position location, the ability to resolve the signal of eachdifferent base station can also be used to enhance system operation. Forinstance, under the prior art, all signals from multiple base stationsin the SFN are effectively added and appear as a single source aspreviously described. Hence, if the resultant signal is poor, the UE hasno way of knowing which of the base stations is causing the problems(e.g., its timing or frequency reference might be off, component failed,etc.). By being able to extract or “tease out” the signal component ofeach individual station, the UE and/or network operator can remove orcompensate for the offending station(s), and substitute another stationas required.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that the multi-station approachdescribed herein can be applied even to networks that characteristicallyoperate only one-to-one links (i.e., one BS communicating with one UE).Specifically, such networks can be modified for a “many-to-one” modewherein multiple bases stations transmit the same data frames to the UE(with proper synchronization), and based on weighting of the data andbase station identifications embedded in the frames, enabletriangulation or position location of the UE. This many-to-one modecould be selectively invoked; e.g., only when an application running onthe UE makes a call for location information, at which point an upstreamrequest message is generated and sent to a base station, thereby causingother stations in proximity thereto to establish links with the UE forat least a period of time. Furthermore, the UE can “recommend” BS (byusing their corresponding IDs) to be used for such a selectively invokedtransmission. The UE can thus exploit its knowledge about the signalquality from various BS (e.g. from the last separation of LS sequencesand the corresponding estimation of channel coefficients).

Special Case: Not Enough M Codes—

One requirement implicit to the present invention is the uniqueidentification of the base stations by each UE wishing to performlocation estimation. Referring to FIG. 5A, multiple SFNs operatingconcurrently are shown. The ideal case 500 is illustrated where multipleBS operating with multiple UE pose no confusion. In SFN 100A, BS 102A isoperating using column one of Walsh-Hadamard matrix M, BS 102B usescolumn two of matrix M, and BS 102C uses column three of matrix M. SFN100A singularly serves UE 106A.

Likewise, in SFN 100B, BS 102E is operating using column one ofWalsh-Hadamard matrix M, BS 102B uses column two of matrix M, and BS102D uses column three of matrix M. SFN 100B singularly serves UE 106B.Note that BS 102B, which is assigned to column two of matrix M, servesboth 106A and 106B.

Finally, in SFN 100C, BS 102E is operating using column one ofWalsh-Hadamard matrix M, BS 102F uses column two of matrix M, and BS102C uses column three of matrix M. SFN 100C singularly serves UE 106C.

Unfortunately, an ideal distribution such as that of FIG. 5A may notalways be possible. For example, FIG. 5B demonstrates a system with acomparatively poor distribution 550. UE 106 is being served by BS 102G,102H, 102I, and 102J. 102G and 102H both are using column three of theWalsh-Hadamard matrix M, making them indistinguishable from one another.

The simplest and least intrusive solution to the problem presented byFIG. 5B would be to increase the size of orthonormal matrix M. For eachM size increase, a corresponding increase in the number of availablecodes is increased. In certain implementations, this may be undesirable.As previously noted, Walsh-Hadamard matrix generation scales accordingto the rule N=2^(X) where X is a positive real integer value. For themarginal addition of one (1) to the value of X, the matrix scalesexponentially both in capability, and subsequent processing complexity(recall that for N codes, N frames must be processed). In theaforementioned exemplary contention between BS 102G and BS 102H, BS 102Hmay be reassigned column four of the up-scaled Walsh-Hadamard matrix.Simplicity is one chief benefit of the Walsh-Hadamard family ofmatrices; but in certain implementations other matrices may be used.Such matrices may not exponentially scale. For example, in the case ofFourier matrices, any positive integer “N” matrix size is feasible.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing solution of increasing matrixsize may also be applied selectively or even dynamically; i.e., onlywhen required. For instance, an N=2^(X) size matrix can be applied whenno ambiguity such as that of FIG. 5B exists, and an up-scaled matrixapplied in cases where ambiguity arises, such as where a base stationexperiences component or power failure, or other operational factorssuch as UE location/service conspire to create the ambiguity. In thisfashion, the processing overhead and complexity added by the up-scaledmatrix size are only utilized when absolutely needed. For Walsh-Hamadardmatrices, the up-scaling would need to be exponential (e.g.N=2^(X)→N=2^(X+1)). However, for other matrix types, such as Fouriermatrices for example, it is possible upscale only marginally (e.g.N=2^(X)→N=2^(X+1)).

Another solution to the foregoing problem requires that some basestations use the same code. In this case, these stations use astandard-SFN-transmission approach (e.g., that of FIG. 4B), and theirrespective signals cannot be separated at the UE receiver. In oneembodiment, the re-used codes are signaled to the UE (e.g., via downlinkmessage or other such mechanism), since the UE can only use the other Mcodes which uniquely identify one single transmitting BS in order toperform location estimation. Even so, the SFN portion of the “twin” orambiguous BSs may still be used and demodulated by the UE. Properallocation and re-use of certain codes within the network (i.e., withrespect to particular base stations located in particular geographicareas) permit such code re-use consistent with also allowing for UElocation estimation. Specifically, as long as a given UE is aware of thecode re-use (via the aforementioned signaling) or does not come incontact with base stations using the same code at the same time,location estimation may proceed. In cases where the UE is exposed to“twin” codes, the UE must take such ambiguity into account for locationestimation.

In the aforementioned exemplary contention between 102G and 102H (FIG.5B), the UE 106 would necessarily disregard path information from bothof the twin/ambiguous BS. Unfortunately, in this exemplary case, theremaining two base stations 102I and 102J do not provide sufficientinformation to the UE to complete location determination to the desiredlevel of accuracy, i.e., a spatial ambiguity will be created, since thepath information from the two viable BS will yield two possiblelocations for the UE. Hence, an additional path or other mechanism toresolve the spatial ambiguity is required. Such other mechanisms orpaths may be available to the UE (e.g., prior association with orproximity to another BS may be used to resolve the spatial ambiguity).Moreover, the device may have a movement sensor (such as an accelerationsensor) which could be used to refine location estimation if the BSbased information is ambiguous.

In another solution, a “NULL” code is always reserved within the matrix.Depending on the population of BS and their relative positions, a subsetof the BSs is enabled to transmit orthogonal M codes, while theremaining BSs transmit a common “NULL” code. When the UE characterizeseach BS, it does not characterize any BS using the “NULL” code. In theaforementioned example, 102G would switch over to a “NULL” code,removing contention with 102H. In clarification, the “NULL” code is areserved code of the “Walsh Hadamard”, “Fourier” or similar matrix (i.e.the NULL code is simply a “name” reserved for one valid code. It doesnot modify the original matrix).

Furthermore, while each BS ID is required to uniquely identify the BS tothe UE, it is not required that the BS ID remain consistent for all UE.In one variant, a control signal link between the UE and BS is used tonotify the various affected BS when the UE detects an M code contention(large differences in received multi-paths would indicate multiple BSusing the same M code). The BS network may then internally negotiate thecorresponding M codes.

Exemplary UE Apparatus—

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary client or UE apparatus 600 useful inimplementing the methods of the present invention. The apparatusdisclosed comprises, inter alia, a UE such as a cellular telephone,smartphone, portable computer, or other mobile communications devicecapable of operating within an SFN.

The illustrated UE apparatus 600 comprises an application processorsubsystem 612 such as a digital signal processor, microprocessor,field-programmable gate array, or plurality of processing componentsmounted on one or more substrates 618. The processing subsystem may alsocomprise an internal cache memory 612A. The processing subsystem 612 isconnected to a memory subsystem comprising memory 614 which may forexample, comprise SRAM, FLASH and SDRAM components. The memory subsystemmay implement one or a more of DMA type hardware 614A, so as tofacilitate data accesses as is well known in the art.

The radio/modem subsystem comprises a digital baseband 608, analogbaseband 606, RX frontend 602 and TX frontend 604. While specificarchitecture is discussed, in some embodiments, some components may beobviated or may otherwise be merged with one another (such as RF RX, RFTX and ABB combined, as of the type used for 3G digital RFs) as would beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art given the presentdisclosure.

The Analog Baseband 606 controls operation of the radio frontends andconverts a digital signal (input from the digital baseband modem 608) toan analog representation for transmission. Therefore, the digitalbaseband modem loads the analog baseband, with scheduling parameters forthe upcoming frame. The control of TX and RX frontends are alsocontrolled by the analog baseband 606.

The illustrated power management subsystem (PMS) 616 provides power tothe UE, and may comprise an integrated circuit and or a plurality ofdiscrete electrical components. In one exemplary portable UE apparatus,the power management subsystem advantageously interfaces with a battery.

The UE 600 further includes algorithms (whether rendered as software,firmware, or even hardware implementations) operative to implement thelocation estimation methodologies previously described herein withrespect to FIGS. 3A and 4A-4D. For example, in one variant, the UE 600includes software coded to run on the UE's DSP to perform the necessarymatrix operations, BS identification, path data extraction, and locationestimation (e.g., triangulation) for the UE.

The UE may also be configured to support the network-based locationdetermination approach described herein (see, e.g., the method of FIG.3C). This may require for example algorithms and supporting protocolswhich extract the necessary identification and path parameterinformation, and package this data for transmission back to the basestation(s).

The UE 600 may also include one or more other air interfaces, such as aPAN interface (e.g., Bluetooth), a WLAN interface (e.g., WiFi), oranother cellular interface (e.g., 3GPP/UMTS).

Exemplary Serving Base Station Apparatus—

Referring now to FIG. 6B, exemplary serving base station apparatus 650useful in implementing the methods of the present invention areillustrated. The base station apparatus 650 comprises in one variant acomputerized device (e.g., server, such as in the form of a stand-alonedevice, blade, or card) having one or more substrate(s) 668. Thesubstrate(s) further include a plurality of integrated circuitsincluding a processing subsystem 662 such as a digital signal processor(DSP), microprocessor, gate array, or plurality of processing componentsas well as a power management subsystem 666 that provides power to thebase station 650.

The embodiment of the apparatus 650 shown in FIG. 6B at a high levelcomprises a broadcasting circuit configured to broadcast within an SFN,including switching between many-to-one and one-to-one modes asapplicable. The broadcasting subsystem comprises a digital baseband 658,analog baseband 656, and RF components for RX 652 and TX 654.

The processing subsystem 662 may comprise a plurality of processors (ormulti-core processor(s)). Additionally, the processing subsystem alsocomprises a cache 662A to facilitate processing operations. In thedisclosed invention, weighting and insertion of the unique identifiermay be implemented in software, firmware or hardware which is coupled tothe processing subsystem. Alternatively, in another variant, theoperations may be directly performed at the radio subsystem.

The processing subsystem 662 is in data communication with a memorysubsystem 664. The memory subsystem comprises a direct memory access(DMA) 664A. Additionally the non-volatile memory 660 may be incorporatedwithin the memory subsystem 664, or be separated (as shown).

The apparatus 650 also preferably implements a network interface (e.g.IPsec VPN tunnel or the like) to the core network. In one embodiment,this is accomplished via a wireline broadband access subsystem (e.g., aDSL connection, T1 line, DOCSIS cable modem, ISDN, etc.). This maycomprise an analog baseband 670, a line driver 672, and a line filter673. Alternatively, the network interface may be wireless in nature,such as a broadband WiFi or WiMAX interface, millimeter wave system,satellite link, etc.

Methods of Doing Business—

In another aspect of the invention, methods of doing business based onthe foregoing location estimation capabilities are disclosed.

In one embodiment, the method comprises first providing to a user ornetwork subscriber a location determination-enabled device (e.g., 4G“smartphone”), the device adapted to triangulate its position withrespect to a Single Frequency Network (SFN). The device is then enabledto transmit to an access network a physical coordinate determined, atleast in part, by triangulating its relative position to the radioaccess network. Subsequent transmissions from the radio access networkto the device may comprise data received from an application server orother entity having location specific content, and data additionallyenabling the device to target its behavior to a desiredlocation-specific application (e.g. road or travel directions,advertisements for businesses within physical proximity, etc.). Thenetwork operator may charge an additional premium for these features(unlimited use), or provide them as an incentive or as part of a premiumsubscription package. Alternatively, the network operator may impose aper-use or similar billing paradigm if desired. The information for boththe businesses and/or corresponding navigational data may be subsidizedby the participating businesses as well, thereby generating revenue forthe network operator.

Time of day or network operation considerations may also be includedwithin the billing or subscription model; e.g., use during peak periodsor other periods when the network is heavily loaded may command apremium over those during other times. Similarly, the level of precisionand/or location where the services are requested may be differentiated;e.g., more precision might be available or necessary within ametropolitan area having a comparatively high density of base stations,versus that for a rural area (where less spatial/geographic ambiguitymight arise, and hence need for less precision). For example, a userwishing to locate their position to find nearby Italian restaurantswithin New York City may require greater precision than in a more ruralarea, where the density of restaurants is far less.

In another embodiment, the method comprises using the UE or mobiledevice to transmit its derived location information for use by anotherentity (e.g., location monitoring service, etc.). These transmissions oflocation data (which may comprise either “raw” parametric data fromwhich a relative and ultimately absolute location estimate may bederived, or the actual derived estimated location itself) can begenerated according to any number of different models, including e.g.:(i) upon a specific request from a network or location determinationentity (such as via a “location update request” or similar message);(ii) periodically (e.g., every hour); or (iii) anecdotally (e.g., uponthe occurrence of a certain event, such as the UE being powered up, theUE registering within the network, the UE crossing a geographic orservice boundary, the UE invoking an application running thereon thatrequires such location data, etc.

The UE accordingly may also act somewhat as a “machine to machine” orM2M device in this regard, depending on its configuration (and in factmay specifically be configured as such, for example for use on a fleetvehicle). See, e.g., co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/231,095 filed Aug. 29, 2008 and entitled “METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR MACHINE-TO-MACHINE BASED COMMUNICATION SERVICE CLASSES”,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, for oneexemplary approach to M2M communications and associated business modelsuseful with the present invention.

In another exemplary embodiment, a tourist that is traveling in anunfamiliar area and having a location-enabled client device (e.g.,cellular telephone) may opt to transmit a multimedia stream having aphysical coordinate for later use or reference. The location enableddevice, having determined its physical location, transmits a multimediastream to a centralized server and/or its physical location, therebyenabling the tourist a running account of his travels, as well aspossible running publication to friends and family. The multimediastream, and/or running publication application may be provided free tothe subscriber as an incentive, or command a premium.

It will also be appreciated that the methods and apparatus describedherein, by allowing for UE position estimation via no hardware upgradesand limited software modifications to extant infrastructure and the UE,also provide an intrinsic cost benefit over prior art position locationtechnologies such as GPS. Specifically, by obviating a separate GPSreceiver, some of the cost and complexity associated with such devicescan be avoided, and the device made simpler and “thinner”. The resultingdevice may also be more power efficient, since no GPS receiver moduleneed be supported electrically.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the invention aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, thesedescriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of theinvention, and may be modified as required by the particularapplication. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional undercertain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality maybe added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance oftwo or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the invention disclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Theforegoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated ofcarrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to belimiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the generalprinciples of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

1-43. (canceled)
 44. A computer readable apparatus comprising a storagemedium storing at least one computer program, the program comprisinginstructions which, when executed by a processing device, enablelocation determination within a wireless network, the instructionscomprising; first instructions adapted to separate one or more datastreams into a unique component and a common component; secondinstructions adapted to derive from the unique component a parameterrelated to a physical path; third instructions adapted to generate anindication of a physical location.
 45. The apparatus of claim 44,wherein the parameter comprises a base station identification.
 46. Theapparatus of claim 44, wherein the parameter comprises schedulinginformation.
 47. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising fourthinstructions adapted to perform operations unrelated to the locationdetermination on the common component.
 48. The apparatus of claim 44,wherein the third instructions derive the indication of the physicallocation, at least in part, from the unique component.
 49. The apparatusof claim 44, wherein the third instructions derive the indication of thephysical location, at least in part, from the common component.
 50. Theapparatus of claim 44, wherein the computer readable apparatus comprisesa memory component within a mobile wireless device.
 51. The apparatus ofclaim 44, wherein the first instructions, the second instructions andthe third instructions are not continuously executed.
 52. The apparatusof claim 44, wherein the indication of the physical location isgenerated, at least in part, by triangulation techniques.
 53. A methodof enabling location determination within a wireless network,comprising: at a wireless mobile: separating one or more data streamsinto a unique component and a common component; deriving from the uniquecomponent a parameter related to a physical path; generating anindication of a physical location.
 54. The method of claim 53 wherein,the parameter comprises a base station identification or schedulinginformation.
 55. The method of claim 53, wherein the indication of thephysical location is generated, at least in part, from the uniquecomponent.
 56. The method of claim 53, wherein the indication of thephysical location is generated, at least in part, from the commoncomponent.
 57. The method of claim 53, wherein the indication of thephysical location is generated, at least in part, by triangulationtechniques.
 58. A mobile device, comprising; a processor, wherein theprocessor is configured to: separate one or more data streams into aunique component and a common component; derive from the uniquecomponent a parameter related to a physical path; generate an indicationof a physical location.
 59. The mobile device of claim 58, wherein theprocessor is further configured to perform operations unrelated to thelocation determination on the common component.
 60. The mobile device ofclaim 58, wherein the processor generates the indication of the physicallocation, at least in part, from the unique component.
 61. The mobiledevice of claim 58, wherein the processor generates the indication ofthe physical location, at least in part, from the common component. 62.The mobile device of claim 58, wherein the separating, the deriving andthe generating are not continuously executed.
 63. The mobile device ofclaim 58, wherein the indication of the physical location is generated,at least in part, by triangulation techniques.